Families, friends and colleagues on Friday struggled to hold back tears as the remains of Adesiyan Joel Adegboye, one of the teachers killed during an attack on schools in Oriire local government area of Oyo State, were laid to rest at his residence in Owolake, Ogbomoso.
Residents who attended the burial described Adegboye as a dedicated teacher while many expressed grief over his death and called for urgent measures to improve security around educational institutions in Oriire and other parts of the state.
Before interment, a burial service was held for the deceased at Ayegun Baptist Church, Ogbomoso where family, friends, relatives and his co-worker (NUT) praised the deceased for his impact while alive.
In his sermon, Rev. Paul Olaleye of Ayegun Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, urged family of the deceased to take solace in the incident and leave everything for God to fight for them.
Olaleye called on people to always prepare for death because it can come anytime.
He said, “Death will not tell anybody the day and time it will come, but we need to prepare ourselves because after death, we will know whether we have eternal joy or eternal sorrow.
“We need to prepare, life is unpredictable and fragile, a day is coming that we will stand before God’s throne and give account of what we come to do in life. We need to start behaving as if it’s time for us to die.”
A family member and an elder brother to the deceased, Sangotoye Olaolu Oyegun, a teacher at Community High School, Onikoko in Orire local government described his late brother as a pillar and glory of the family taken away by untimely death.
He said the deceased will be missed alot considering his positive impact in the family, church and the community.
He, however, demanded for justice for his brother, calling on government and security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastard act and bring them to justice.
In his tribute, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo state, Comrade Hassan Ajibola described the deceased as more than a teacher, but a peace-loving man, humble in character,gentle in speech, dedicated to duty,and always willing to support others.
According to him, the deceased carried out his responsibility with passion, sincerity, and commitment.
“Your colleagues admired your simplicity, your students respected your values and your friends cherished your kindness. He was like a provider’s spirit that keeps flowing because it is always projected from its source.
“And like a physical stream, the deceased was a blessing all along its route. You lived such a spiritualised, plenary life, alone filled with generosity, kindness, and love. Whether it was little or much, you are always willing to share and be part of your education.
“You gave hope to the hopeless. You are a true father within and without. You clothed the naked and you sheltered the weak.’’
The terrorists simultaneously targeted Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A Primary School, Esiele, according to reports from the area
The attacks reportedly left several persons dead and led to the abduction of pupils and members of staff. Among those said to have been taken was the vice principal of one of the schools, Mrs. Alamu Folawe. The incident has left the affected communities in mourning and raised concerns over the safety of schools in the state.
- Leadership
